In 2007 the United Nations General Assembly declared the World Day of Social Justice be commemorated annually on Feb. 20. COVID-19, in addition to conflict and climate change, has exacerbated the hardships vulnerable communities have faced these past two years, creating further imbalances in areas like health care, safety, housing, basic rights and more. In 2022, it is expected that 274 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection, which is the highest figure in decades.
These factors have not dampened spirits though. We’ve seen an incredible rise in conversation, education and charitable giving toward social justice throughout the pandemic. According to Candid, 177 pledges toward racial equity have been made at a $11.6 billion value since 2020. To name a few other initiatives, our Charity Alliance partners are pushing for equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution, and Global Impact created a tool for employee resource groups.
At Global Impact, we believe in equity for all people and communities around the world. Ahead of the World Day of Social Justice – and as part of our cause of the month feature – let’s take a video journey to learn how our Charity Alliance partners promote the many intersections of social justice and other global causes.
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people worldwide. They scrupulously investigate abuses, expose the facts widely, and urge those with power to respect rights and secure justice. How they work:
Investigate: Their researchers work in the field in 100 some countries, uncovering facts that create an undeniable record of human rights abuses.
Expose: Human Rights Watch tells the stories of what they found, sharing them with millions of social media and online followers each day. News media often report on their investigations, furthering their reach.
Change: They meet with governments, the United Nations, rebel groups, corporations, and others to see that policy is changed, laws are enforced, and justice is served.
One of their global movements, #BreakTheChains, brings together organizations from around the world to end the chaining of people with mental health conditions.
Partners In Health
Partners In Health’s mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care.
“We are a social justice organization that responds to the moral imperative to provide high-quality health care globally to those who need it most. We strive to ease suffering by providing a comprehensive model of care that includes access to food, transportation, housing, and other key components of healing. We bring the benefits of modern medicine to those who have suffered from the overt and subtle injustices of the world, in the past and in the present. We refuse to accept that any life is worth less than another.”
See the impact Partners in Health has made for 30+ years:
Prison Fellowship International
Prison Fellowship International has programs in prisons around the world that are proven to restore prisoners, help their families and integrate them back into the community. Here’s how they are making a difference:
Offer prisoners hope: Prisoners are one of the least reached groups in the world and they have a plan to reach them. It’s called The Prisoner’s Journey.
Repair broken lives: Restorative justice repairs the harm caused by crime, emphasizing accountability, forgiveness and making amends. When victims, offenders and community members meet to decide how to do that, the results are transformational.
Protect children: They protect children of prisoners from hopeless situations and help restore and rebuild their lives through child sponsorship.
Their unique history: Charles Colson, former aide to President Nixon, served seven months in a federal prison camp for a Watergate-related offense. There, he became convinced the real solution to crime is found through spiritual renewal.
See the story of a man whose life was forever changed when he learned about the power of Jesus’ love through The Prisoner’s Journey:
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
Compelled by Christ to be a voice of conscience on behalf of the people called Methodist, UMCOR works globally to alleviate human suffering and advance hope.
Cristian Schlick is a global missionary who works with migrants from Central America and Mexico in El Salvador. He was commissioned in June 2019 after serving for two years as a Global Mission Fellow, also in El Salvador, focused on human rights issues. Hear about his experience:
White Ribbon Alliance
The White Ribbon Alliance is a global network of reproductive, maternal health and rights advocates campaigning for more resources and the right policies to decrease the preventable deaths of women.
When women are healthy so are their children, families, communities and countries. WRA understands the synergy between sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health policies and services and works to implement holistic solutions.
White Ribbon Alliance’s approach of educating people about their health and rights, then equipping them to lead change in their own communities, is effective and creates lasting change for generations to come.
Be part of the solution
There are many ways you can join us and our Charity Alliance partners in promoting equality around the world:
- Learn more about the charities focused on social justice and share your support (especially on World Day of Social Justice!)
- Make a gift through your employee giving campaign.
- Inspire others to be a global champion for social justice too.
